Featured photo: Captain James F. Grady II
LANSING, Mich. — On Monday, October 2, Governor Gretchen Whitmer selected Captain James F. Grady II to lead the Michigan State Police (MSP) as its new director, which includes a promotion to the rank of colonel.
“Captain Grady is the right pick to lead the brave men and women of the Michigan State Police,” said Whitmer. “After 25 years, he has earned the respect of troopers across the department and community leaders throughout the state, including in southeast Michigan where he spent the majority of his service. He has a knack for bringing everyone together to solve problems, and our state is a better place for it. He will do a great job leading our state’s top law enforcement agency.”
Captain James Grady has more than 25 years of experience in public safety, including nearly a decade of leadership within the Michigan State Police. He currently manages the Training Division, which is responsible for conducting MSP recruit schools for new enforcement members and in-service trainings for current members. He’s trained 391 troopers across eight recruit school classes and 21 motor carrier graduates.
“It is an incredible honor to continue serving in the Michigan State Police alongside the finest troopers in the nation,” said Grady. “I want to thank my partners in leadership at the department. We will continue to make sure that the men and women of MSP have what they need to do their job of protecting Michiganders in communities across the state. It’s a tough but rewarding career. I will work every day to earn the trust and respect of my colleagues and the good people of Michigan.”
In 1998, Grady joined MSP as a trooper, serving in the Adrian and Detroit posts. He worked his way up to detective and supervisor within his local posts.
In 2015, he became detective first lieutenant and section commander of the “Fraud Investigation” team within MSP. There, he was responsible for the coordination of investigations both internally and externally to protect Michiganders from fraud.
In 2018, Grady was promoted to assistant division commander within the Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division, making him responsible for day-to-day management of all programs and activities within the division and oversight for all five division sections. In this role, he also served as a liaison to the governor’s office, Federal Emergency Management Agency, and Department of Homeland Security.
In 2020, he was promoted to captain and became commander of the Training Division of MSP, where he has worked to develop dynamic leaders within the organization.
Grady, a resident of Wayne County, has a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice and criminology from Eastern Michigan University and is currently working toward a Master of Business Administration from Cleary University with expected completion in 2025.
Captain Grady’s promotion will take effect on September 28, 2023. He takes over for Colonel Joe Gasper who announced his retirement after 25 years of service at MSP.
This appointment is subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
